Schaumburg Orders of Protection Attorney

Schaumburg Family Lawyer Assisting Clients in Cook and DuPage County Domestic Violence Cases

At Anderson Attorneys, P.C., we understand how serious domestic violence can be. In the multiple decades that Attorney Jonathan Anderson has provided legal representation for clients in family law cases, he has helped many people address concerns related to domestic abuse and other issues that have affected the safety and well-being of family members. Violence or threats should be addressed promptly, and steps may be taken to help victims of abuse or people who are concerned about the safety of themselves and their children. An order of protection can serve as a crucial tool to protect abuse victims and ensure that legal issues that affect their families can be addressed correctly.

Orders of Protection in Illinois

In cases involving assaults, threats of violence, stalking, harassment, or other actions by a spouse, partner, or another family member that have put a family's safety and well-being at risk, an order of protection can help prevent future harm from occurring. In Illinois, orders of protection can place multiple types of legal restrictions on a person who has been accused of committing abuse. The types of orders of protection that may be available in these situations include:

• Emergency order of protection – Typically, the first step in obtaining an order of protection will be to request an emergency order that will apply on a temporary basis. When a person files a petition for an order of protection, the family member accused of domestic violence does not have to be present. If a judge agrees that protection is needed based on the person's claims regarding past abuse or their concerns about safety issues, an order of protection will be issued, and it will take effect right away. The standard term for an emergency order of protection is 21 days. A hearing will be required if a person believes a protective order should be extended.
• Interim order of protection – If scheduling issues or other delays prevent a hearing from taking place before an emergency order of protection expires, an interim order of protection may be put in place until the hearing can be held.
• Plenary order of protection – At a hearing for an order of protection, both sides will be able to present evidence and provide testimony. A long-term order of protection may be issued if a judge believes that measures should be taken to protect the safety of family or household members. A plenary order of protection can remain in place for a maximum of two years, although extensions may be possible if necessary.

An order of protection can put a number of measures in place to address domestic violence and prevent further abuse from occurring. Most importantly, an order will require a person to cease all abusive actions and refrain from committing violence against their family members. The person may also not be allowed to contact their spouse, partner, children, or other household members included in the order, and they may be required to move out of their home and find new living arrangements. An order may require new child custody arrangements to be put in place, and a person may be required to pay child support or other forms of financial support to ensure that their spouse or partner will be able to meet their financial needs. A person will also be prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms, and they may be required to take counseling or receive treatment for drug or alcohol addiction or other issues related to domestic violence.

In some cases, one spouse may falsely accuse the other of domestic violence during a contentious divorce. Some spouses may believe that an order of protection that restricts the other spouse's rights will offer an advantage during their case. We can help our clients respond to accusations of domestic violence and defend against orders of protection, ensuring that they will not be subject to harsh, unnecessary restrictions. We can also make sure these false accusations will be addressed correctly while advocating for our client's rights during divorce proceedings

Contact Our Schaumburg Order of Protection Lawyer

To get legal help with issues related to orders of protection, contact our firm at Anderson Attorneys, P.C. and arrange a complimentary consultation. From our Schaumburg office, we assist with family law cases throughout the Chicago area, including Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, and beyond.